Sterling by Music Man Reviews

[Sweat]

Just recieved my Silo 20 and instead of putting my thoughts in one of the existing threads where it may not get noticed thought I would start this thread for all to use to post reviews, your thoughts and pics of the Sterling Models.

OK all in all this is great for the $$$, the gig bag is nice, one of the nice padded ones just like my Music Man one I own and in the front pouch is all the allen wrenches needed to adjust with and a small metal rod which i am assuming is to use to tweak the trus rod, nice touch.

The strings are EB slinkys, also very nice.

Overall looks great, the neck is nice and the super light satin finish feels fine too me, the action on this one was spot on. The hardware is very good, locking tuners nice bridge. And is lightwieght and comfortable.

Pics requested here we go.

The pups suprised me, sound much better than I thought they would, so again kudos.

Now for a couple of things, not bad just noticable, there are a few fret edges that are slightly sharp, not bad but somewhat noticable, the actual frets are good and well seated.

The other thing is there is a slight bow\warp in the pick guard on the low e side between the first and second screws, not a big deal, plus I dislike white so new PG already on order

All in all a very nice guitar especially for the money, Praxis and Pat Park have done a very good job with these, congrats

 

[jds22]

Hey all, first post. I received my AX 40 this week and posted this review on another board.

Quick review.

Neck - Nice and round. The edges are rolled. Frets are finished ok, there are a few rough spots I need to smooth out. Also I'm not sure if there is even a finish on it. If it is, it's a very light matte or satin finish of some kind. Feels like wood to me.

Bridge - Well it stays in tune but they used a skimpy little sustain block that needs to be replaced pronto. I didn't take a pic of it but it is really small.

Fit and finish - Not bad but you can see some dark smudges on the fretboard. I'm sure they'll come off. The electronics and soldering look great. Action was set fine, not shredder low but not SRV high either.

Sound - A bit on the bright side and there are some dead spots around the 12th and 14th frets on the e and b strings, this concerns me quite a bit. I haven't checked yet for high frets but I tend to think it might have something to do with the sustain block as there really isn't any fret buzz so the strings are not choking out.

Pros - Neck, neck, neck. I love the shape of this neck.
Cons - Small sustain block and dead spots.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Fing - yeah but you know the rules around here about pics?
Good idea to start a thread like this.

 

[Sweat]

Fing - yeah but you know the rules around here about pics?
Good idea to start a thread like this.

Thanks Spud, see first post for pics

 

[ScoobySteve]

Thanks for the review Keith. I am definitely going to start recommending Sterling to the youngens that I teach.

I really, genuinely wish there was quality like these at the affordable price that they are when I started playing the instrument.

Congrats, hope you mod the heck out of it.

 

[jds22]

Neck - Nice and round. The edges are rolled. Frets are finished ok, there are a few rough spots I need to smooth out. Also I'm not sure if there is even a finish on it. If it is, it's a very light matte or satin finish of some kind. Feels like wood to me.

Bridge - Well it stays in tune but they used a skimpy little sustain block that I'll be replacing. I didn't take a pic of it but it is really small.

Fit and finish - Not bad but you can see some dark spots on the neck in one of the pics. I'm sure they'll come off. The electronics and soldering look great. Action was set fine, not shredder low but not SRV high either.

Sound - A bit on the bright side and there are some dead spots around the 12th and 14th frets on the e and b strings. The notes die off really quickly. I haven't checked yet for high frets but I tend to think it might have something to do with the sustain block as there really isn't any fret buzz so the strings are not choking out.

Pros - Neck, neck, neck. I love the shape of this neck.
Cons - Small sustain block and dead spots.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

These are great reviews and I'm still working on my excuse to get down to Beller's (DuBaldo's store) to try them myself. I think my CT rep is on to me as I keep asking to go anywhere for anything in CT.

Keith......can you comment on the Silo neck shape? It's described as assymetrical. Is it like an Axis?

Next time I'm in Dallas.....I should just try to get to your house....sounds like you've got a closer selection of EBMM and Sterling than the GC in ND.

Also, I've now heard a number of times about a bit of a sharp fret edge. How is this corrected? Is it as simple as running a file down each side? Or something more involved?

JDS......the quilt on that top......just wow!

jack

 

[Sweat]

Jack,

Not quite like an axis neck to me but similar, yea if your back in Dallas hopefully next time can make an arrangement for that, man my work schedule sucked when you were in town.

The fret thing is no big deal, as soon as I find my prescion files i will take care of it only on a few, again nice guitars for the buck and mine will be getting a makeover

 

[envy-guitars]

What would you guys compare them to on quality?

 

[dwells]

hmmm

 

[jamminjim]

jds22 - how heavy is the AX40?

 

[jds22]

jds22 - how heavy is the AX40?

I don't have a scale but I'm guessin' 7ish.

 

[dwells]

hehehe

 

[Big Poppa]

guys lets back it off a little.....actually a lot....SOme of you would make me happy if you deleted your posts that are just wrong

 

[azazael]

guys lets back it off a little.....actually a lot....SOme of you would make me happy if you deleted your posts that are just wrong

Sterling I was not concentrating when I read this and I read it as...
"some of you would make me hippy if you deleted your posts that are just wrong"

I then conjured up images of flower power big poppa.
Sort of a bass wielding Austin Powers/Sterling Ball spouting "Slinky baby!!"

 

[jds22]

guys lets back it off a little.....actually a lot....SOme of you would make me happy if you deleted your posts that are just wrong

?????

Are you referring to my post about the AX40?

Jerry

 

[GHWelles]

The Quilt top on that AX40 is amazing

 

[lenny]

The Quilt top on that AX40 is amazing

+1000 ...took the words right outta me mouth ...there Mr. Doog!! hehehe

 

[Sweat]

guys lets back it off a little.....actually a lot....SOme of you would make me happy if you deleted your posts that are just wrong

Sorry BP, got carried away funning with dells, post deleted my bad

?????

Are you referring to my post about the AX40?

Jerry

No not yours, it was mine and dwells joking around over the limits

 

[Big Poppa]

thanks This needs to be a safe place for all....